Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Fractures Treated in Baltimore
Mercy's upper extremity orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of fractures in the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. The team of The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore works with patients to develop treatment plans to enable them to regain as much use of their shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands as possible following a fracture.
Symptoms of a fracture, or broken bone, include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Limited or loss of movement
- Deformity
Orthopedic doctors who specialize in shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand conditions will conduct a physical exam to diagnose a fracture. X-rays will need to be taken to view the location of the fracture and the position of the bones. A CT scan may be needed for additional views of the fracture, especially for elbow and wrist fractures.
Some fractures of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand may heal without surgery. Treatment options include immobilization with a sling, splint or cast if the bone was not displaced or was set without surgical intervention. Other fractures may need surgery to help prevent arthritis or to set the bones in the correct position for proper healing.
Common surgical treatments for shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand fractures include repair and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). During an ORIF procedure, bones are repositioned, called reduction, to the normal anatomy and held with screws and plates to facilitate healing.